Description
Indulge in creamy Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars topped with a rich caramel sauce, perfect for any dessert lover.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon to make the crust. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool while preparing the other layers.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth for the cheesecake layer. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, and stir in vanilla extract. Pour over the cooled crust and spread evenly.
- Toss diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for the apple layer. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer.
- Mix flour and brown sugar for the streusel topping, cut in cold butter until crumbly, and stir in chopped pecans if using. Sprinkle the streusel over the apple layer.
- Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the streusel is golden and the cheesecake is set. Allow to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- To make the caramel sauce, combine sugar and water in a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high and cook without stirring until the mixture turns amber (about 8-10 minutes).
- Remove from heat and carefully whisk in cream (it will bubble vigorously). Stir in butter and salt until smooth and let cool slightly.
- Cut the chilled bars into squares and drizzle with warm caramel sauce just before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easy mixing.
- For a nut-free version, omit the pecans.
- Allow the bars to chill thoroughly to ensure they hold their shape when cut.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg